Cable, Internet, Macintosh, OH MY!!!

Ok, so we did it.  Gina and I finally gave into the whole being somewhat "technologically advanced" thing.  Hold your breath and sit down cause I am about to knock your socks off!  Today, this nice man came to the door and introduced himself as the "comcast man."  I let him in and he spent some time doing who knows what while I folded some laundry.  When he was done, he told me we had some thing called cable and that I could now access the. . . i-n-t-e-r-n-e-t?  It took me a while to figure it out, but this is what it boils down to.  1) Our TV now as a bunch of channels vs yesterday when only channel 13 would work. 2) The TV now has a really clear picture instead of being all fuzzy with diagonal lines going through the screen.  3) I can now write this blog from a computer in my own house instead of having to say, drive all the way to my parents house, take the lap top to a nearby parking lot where a wireless signal was available, or go up to the U where the "internet" is everywhere.  That "comcast man" was something special to have done all those things in such a short time.  Anyway,  this being the first post of the "technological Quigley era"  I just thought I would share my thoughts.  Oh and also, now that we have the internet, we went out and bought this fancy new computer.  I have never owned a Mac before and to be honest, I am quite confused with the whole thing.  I was able to figure out how to use the camera that is built into this thing to take some pictures for ya'll. 

This was my face when I turned on the TV and 

saw that there were multiple channels with such 

a nice and neat picture!  First thing I watched 

Channel 76!  76!!  Wow!

This was my face when I turned on the computer 

and saw that the "internet" was now available

from inside our own house!  This is frickin' amazing!

 

This was what happened when I tried to figure out the 

camera thing on our new mac.  Still don't know what is

going on and how to do things with this computer, but

I'll learn!  How did it take four pictures? It's pretty cool though, eh?

Update!

OK, so I was a little discouraged after our last post because no one commented any ideas on what Gina and I should be for Halloween. Well, there were a couple, so thank you. However, because of the lack of response I figured no one would mind if it took a while for us to get around to posting something new. So a month later, here we are and plenty has happened since then. So here is an update to catch you all up on what we have been up too.

First off, I neglected to remember to post about Gina's birthday! Don't worry, I didn't forget all together! Gina's birthday is kind of fun because it is a little different than the normal birthday. See, she doesn't do the whole sugar thing, I still am not sure how, so the traditional cake is out of the question. What do you do? I asked myself this many times, but Gina does have a love for something sweet, fruit! So I made her a fruit cake! err... salad. It was really fun, I got to use a melon baller! Anyway, Gina is officially 24 as of last Oct. 1st. Happy B-day again!

Next, even though we didn't get many ideas for Halloween, we came up with a pretty good costume. Even though we couldn't find anywhere that had nose puddy, our Christmas Who outfits turned out pretty good. Gina makes a really good who. You'll never ever guess how she gets her hair to stay up like that! Those of you that just looked at the picture and thought "I bet she ..." your guess is wrong, I guarantee it. I however, don't make the best who. Putting on the sparkling makeup, doing may hair all crazy and wearing green fish net stockings made me feel more like a Christmas cross dresser! We had a fun time though! We spent the evening at a party with some friends who had some nice costumes of their own.

Football! Can you say crazy? That is how I felt about the TCU Utah game on the 6th! It was a long miserable cold game in all regards until about 2 minutes left when the Utes finally woke up and put together the game winning drive to stay undefeated! Those of you who don't know, the Quigley's (minus Gina) are huge Utah fans. Fall Saturdays are all about football and the Quigley boys (Ross, Dad and Clayson) are usually found somewhere between sections 25 and 24 in the north end zone of Rice-Eccles Stadium! Go UTES!

Those of you who know Gina know that she is an active girl always doing fun things. This summer she was introduced into biking and has been trying me to get into it as well. I finally did and I really really like it! I got a bike and all the gear, yes that includes tight shorts and even a pair of tight pants for cold weather, and have been out a few times! My first ride ever I went for a 25 mile ride to the mouth of Big Cottonwood canyon and back. I was a very tired boy when I got home! It is really fun and I am really glad Gina convinced me to get a bike! Thanks Sweetie! Oh, and she is twice the rider I am so I have some work to do, I can't let her out do me for too long, right?

So Gina spends a lot of time at work these days, its not easy being a sugar momma! She is the best sugar momma around though! Anyway, speaking of sugar, while she is at work she should hide the sugar because I just can't be held responsible for what happens while she is gone! Yes, that thing on the plate is a ginormous cookie! Yay for cookies!

Back too football!! Do I need to say anything? Utah has completed an undefeated season, again, and will be going to a BCS bowl, again, and I couldn't be happier! This past weekend has been just absolutely great! All week I wasn't able to concentrate on my school, work was meaningless, and I could barely sleep I was so excited for the Utah BYU game. And all my built up excitement was worth it! What a game. Utah wins 48-24 in what was probably the biggest game ever played between the two. Utah not only won, they won the Mountain West Conference Championship and a BCS bowl bid is likely to follow! I love it. Gina is being a great sport about it all too. My family is a little crazy about Utah football, and Gina being a BYU fan gets to hear about it a lot! However, I have to say that she is being really good about the whole thing and isn't making excuses, but is happy for the Utes success. It has been a great year for Utah football and to be a Utah fan. At the Utah BYU game, I was going crazy, screaming all game long, jumping up and down, high fiving anybody and everybody I could get my hands too, and even trying to pick up my little brother! It was awesome! At the conclusion of the game, Clayson and I rushed the field (no we weren't part of the morons who ran on the field with 2 minutes left to play). It was awesome! There were so many people that it was impossible to stand in the same place. Before it was all over, I gave Freddie Brown high five, slapped Matt Asiata's shoulder pads, and stood belly to belly with Alex Smith! It was absolutely one of the greatest moments I have ever had as a Utah football fan. The best ever was when I was just a kid and Utah beat BYU 34-31 for the first time. I was at the game with my dad and when that last field goal went through, he picked me up and threw me into the air! I ended up a few rows up, but it was awesome! GO UTES!!!

Oh and in case you all were wondering, I did not rush the field with my shirt off, but rest assured that I was ready and prepared to do so if it became necessary to do so! I am a Utah man sir... are you? (Gina, I made the picture small as to try and not embarrass myself or you!! Love you!)

Halloween Costume Ideas

So Halloween is just around the corner and every year the decision on what to dress up as can cause lots of stress. So this is your chance to help us out and pick what Ross and Gina's costume will be for this year. Think about what you have always wanted to see us dress up as, and then let us know. If your idea is clever enough, we just might use it!

Scooter Man

I don't know this man's real name but I'm going to refer to him as Simon, it seems appropriate.

It all started a few months ago when Ross called me on the phone laughing hysterically about this guy who he just saw on the UofU campus. He choked out a description of an older gentleman decked out in a suit wearing full pads and helmet over top. The guy had a scooter(the kind 10 year old sport on the neighborhood block) which he rode extremely slowly. One push and he brings both legs onto the scooter, waits until he is at almost a complete stop and then he would give another push.

This sounded pretty funny but I couldn't really appreciate the greatness of this story until Ross and were driving on state street near the freeway entrance Friday. I looked to my side and saw a great sight. I started jabbing Ross and when he looked over we were both overcome with joy. I don't know how Simon rode that scooter all the way from the U, but it must of taken him a long time. There Simon was dressed to the 9s, covered with knee and elbow pads... and of course his helmet. I give Simon mad props. He is true scooter die hard.

I can't help but have my curiosity raised by this sighting of Simon... how far does Simon ride that scooter everyday, weekly, monthly, and can you imagine yearly. Please if you spot Simon and his scooter let me know. Maybe if we map out his sightings we can estimate his travel.

I hope there are many more Simon sightings to come.

OCT. 17, 2008

One year ago to the day, I married the most beautiful girl in the world. After a long courtship with a few ups (Hawaii) and downs (Texas), and lots of pressure from Erika, Gina and I decided to tie the knot on the 17th of October 2007. (Erika, we would have done the same without all your pressure, just so you know!!) It was a great day. Our Wedding wasn't until later in the morning which allowed for us to take our time getting there. There was no crack of dawn alarm clock. Just a simple morning to prepare for the best day of my life. We got to the temple only to find that we, er Gina, had forgotten a few items that were needed to get into the temple. No worries, we got it all figured out and the Wedding still happened as scheduled! It was so wonderful sitting in the temple together and I will never forget looking into the eye's of my sweetie and telling her I love her. She looked beautiful in her dress. The weather outside was not the best, but it cooperated when we needed it to. It drizzled only for a moment or two, but it retrospect, it made the colors in our photos stand out even more!! They turned out really well. Our reception took some last minute preparations by Gina and I and a few of our fabulous friends who we could never thank enough. We got everything all put together just in time for us to start meeting our guests. Because of the weather we were a little cramped inside the Gallivan Center but it was so fun to share our day with so many people! The rain finally started to stop its cooperation just as we were leaving, which actually once again resulted in a really cool picture. However, the rain was not friendly to me when I tried to use my windshield wipers to clear off the water on my windshield. They failed miserably due to the outrageous number of oreos some people had stuck to the windshield. It was so bad I had to stop at a nearby gas station and use their windshield cleaner thing to scrape off the oreos! That night we had a great room in the downtown Hilton that my cousin hooked us up with, the Vice Presidential Sweet!! It was so cool! All and all the day was one to remember!! I will always remember that day and the promises I made to my sweetie. She is the love of my life and she is the greatest thing to happen to me, ever. I love you Gina! Oh and the thing I think will be in my mind as one of the most memorable things we did that day was how we occupied the time after the ceremony and before the reception! We went to lunch at Pier 49 pizza downtown and had lunch at the place we had dinner on our first "real" date! Come one, what did you think I would say!!

The End of an Era

For those of you who are not aware, I have become a little bit of a Yankee fan over the years. If you know me at all, seen the back of my car, or know the name of my dog, you probably figured out that I have a liking for the Yankees. I was 8 years old when I first played for the Yankees in little league, and for the next 7 years, I played for the Yankees even though I would go through different leagues. I didn't ever get to choose what team I was on, but the fact I played for the Yankees over and over again, I considered it fate. To say the least, even though my baseball years are through, I still consider myself a Yankee.

This year is a major year for the Yankees. No they are not going to win the world series, they didn't even make the playoffs! This year however, is the last year of the old Yankee Stadium. Also known as "the house that Babe built," Yankee Stadium has been one of the historic baseball fields still standing in America. The Yankees have called it home since 1923, when Babe Ruth was still blasting home runs out of the park. He hit three in the first game ever in Yankee Stadium against the Boston Red Sox. Since then, the stadium has been through a couple minor and one major renovations. The memories and moments from that stadium however, will forever stay the same. There have been many many moments that baseball will never forget. So many great players, both Yankee and non-Yankee, have played on that field. The Yankees alone have had many memories from their own players there. From Babe's home run records,

to Roger Maris' home run records, many of the old school players seem most prominent. Lou Gehrig will forever be remembered by his "luckiest man alive" speech, Don Larsen being hoisted up into the air by Yogi Berra after his perfect game in the world series, Reggie Jackson's three home runs in the '77 World Series earning him the name "Mr. October," Joe Dimaggio for being the games most all-around player and America's hero, or one of Mickey Mantle's three MVP seasons.

There are many who deserve to be mentioned on this list, but some that are most important to me are those I can remember watching and routing for as a kid. Paul O'Neil was one of my baseball heroes as a kid, as well as Andy Pettit (who I got to see pitch a game this past May!!)and many of their teammates were Yankees that I remember. Bernie Williams, Don Mattingly, Wade Boggs, Tino Martinez, and Derek Jeter to name a few. Jeter was, and is, probably the most influential baseball player in my life. When he was first on the Yankees I was only 12 years old and I thought he was the greatest. He played infield like me, he was smaller like me, and the thing I liked most about him is that he just went out and played. He didn't trash talk, he was a humble guy that played ball really well. This past season he set the record for most hits by a Yankee in Yankee Stadium, a couple weeks before it was gone. More recently the Yankees have produced big names like Roger Clemens, Mariano Rivera (one of the greatest), Jason Giambi, Johnny Damon, Jorge Posada, and of course Alex Rodriguez who could possibly be one of the best players in the game. Granted he has had is fair share of controversy and scandal, but take all that away and you get a guy who has the potential of breaking the all time home run record and a solid defender at third base.. All baseball greats. The managers over the years have been great as well. Billy Martin would probably still be an off an on manager for the Yankees if he were still alive! Buck Showalter, Casey Stengel, Lou Piniella, Yogi Berra, and Joe McCarthy were all great managers for the Yankees, but most memorable to me is the great Joe Torre. He was one of the greatest in Yankee history leading the team to 4 world series titles, 12 consecutive playoff appearances, 6 pennants, and ten division titles. To me, Joe Torre is the Manager of the Yankees. He is a great man. Joe Giardi has big shoes to fill!

So as the "house that Babe built" is now the "house that Jeter closed," it is a sad day for many. The end of and era is tough for all followers, but this seems like part of people's life are leaving for good. The good news is, the Yankees are staying around, their new stadium is right across the road and is still named "Yankee Stadium." George Steinbrenner and his son Hank have done great things to bring the Yankees to where they are today, and I only hope to see the tradition of the Yankees live on for years to come. They are America's team. Go YANKEES!

Gina Rides Her First Centruy!!

So for those of you that do not know, my wife has recently picked up cycling. Our brother in laws are into it hard core and they have converted Gina. This year she was very dedicated to getting started and saved all her tip money from the ski season and used it to buy her a nice bike and all the gear she needed. After riding for a few months, she built up her endurance and Derrick (brother in law) convinced her to participate in the ULCER. The ULCER is a 111 mile race around Utah Lake!! Gina was a little nervous, but did very well. She finished in just over five hours, about three hours faster than she thought she would!! I am so proud of her, and wish I had the courage to do stuff like that. She is two up on me know, she has raced in a century and raced in a marathon!!

Death Hike

Ok, so this past weekend we went on this hike that literally almost killed us. It all started when my friend Jared Antczak called to invite me to hike with him to the top of twin peaks. I was talking to Gina about it, and kind of jokingly said that it would be fun. But seeing as how I almost didn't make it on a hike a week earlier with another friend of mine, I didn't think I could do it. Gina took the initiative and called Jared back and told him we were in!! Gina kept saying we could do it and that it could be that hard. HA! Ask her that now!
So Saturday came along and it was time to start our climb. We had intended on starting at 7 but didn't actually start up the trail til about 7:30. At first it was fun, steep at times, my heart was pounding and my lungs not working quite right, but it was ok. We joked with each other and the morale of our group of six was high. We had a description of the hike that we were using to judge how far we had gone and how far we had to go. Really it felt like we were following a treasure map. Anyway, a few misunderstandings from the reading made us feel like we were doing really well and making good time. It wasn't til about 2 hours later that we realized we were still at the beginning of the description instead of nearing the end like we had thought! Non the less, we were ok. We hiked a good 5 hours before we got to the "upper meadow" which really was not meadow at all. We stopped there for a few reasons; we were tired and wanted food and water, there was snow there and we wanted to play in it, and last but not least we wanted to look up at what we were about to climb. Looking back, we should have been able to tell right there that we should have turned around and called it a day.
However, we finished building snowmen and making snow angels and started up what would turn out to be the hardest, most intense climb of all our lives. It was so steep we had to use all fours at times. The ground was not solid but made up of loose gravel and boulders that were the size of basketballs all the way up to small elephants. Every step was sketchy, rocks sliding out from underneath you, falling over, looking up and seeing haw far you had to go, and looking down to see how far you had gone! It took us a good 2 hours plus to climb up that bowl to a saddle between two peaks, but the fun wasn't even close to being done.
From the saddle, not all of us continued. Those of us who did carried on following our treasue map trying to find ledges, eight foot walls, and cracks that we could climb up. We lost a couple more along the way, but those who prevailed to the top were rewarded with one of the best views I have ever seen. It truly was spectacular. You could see for miles and miles in all directions. The blissful scene was quick however as we made our way back down to the saddle to meet up with everyone else and we realized that what you go up, you must go down!! Climbing up the boulder field was a challenge and time consuming, but going down it was not easy at all. It was harder. It took us longer than going up. We all fell a few hundred times had moments where if we slipped it was a good 300 feet before we would have stopped! It was crazy. It was taking so long and by the time we got out of the boulder field and down a creek bed that was more rocks, it was about 8 o'clock and we still had about 3 to 4 miles to go! Oh and on top of that, we were all out of water and had been since about 4!! We were all dehydrated, fatigued and ready to be done. However, it was getting dark and we needed to get down quick! We carried on and on, the trail never seemed to get less steep or show signs of ending. Daylight quickly left us and we found ourselves in the dark! Luckily, our good friend Jared who we will forever be in debt too, realizing our situation had started to run down the trail. He past my little brother on the way and stole his car keys and continued running to the bottom, mind you he had hiked all the way to the top and was also out of water. He got to the bottom a little after 7:30, took the car to the seven eleven down at the bottom of the canyon. He bought a bunch of gatorades, waters, bananas, and some flashlights and quickly drove back up to the trailhead. He started the hike AGAIN and began to run up the trail to find us. All of us were on the verge of hullicinating, seeing lights and other things. The darkness made our depth perception go crazy making our us stumble and fall even more! Jared, 30 minutes back up the trail past my bro and his friend and gave them a light and some fluid. He then realizing we were still far out began to once again run to find us. He found us just as the it became pitch black and literally could not see anything! He found us and saved our lives. We thought that we had maybe fifteen more minutes to go, but in reality we had over an hour left to the bottom!! It would have taken us three times longer at least had we not had that light! We got back to our car a little after 10:30 at night, thankful to be alive!!! Jared, we love you!